Another eight months before power woes end

This will happen only when various power projects are commissioned in 2010 in anticipation of the Games. “The commissioning of electricity generating projects including Dadri,Jhajjar and Pragati is planned before the Games,” he said.

Much of Delhi’s power woes now stem from the fact that the Capital’s own generation is dismal at best. Wednesday recorded a peak demand of 4,408 MW. But on a good day,the Capital’s four power plants generate 1,250 MW. Of the four plants,the 247.5 MW thermal-based Indraprastha plant is set to be phased out by 2009-end.

To meet the rest of the demand,the Capital depends on power from the central sector generating units and the various Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and banking agreements signed by discoms.

“The need of the hour is to reduce this dependency on other states for power and start Delhi’s own generation,” a senior power department official told Newsline. “Plans are underway to that end and by October 2010,various power projects will begin generation.”

Heading the list of projects is the 1,500 MW gas-based Pragati-III plant at Bawana.

In a Power department review held in the last week of May,Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit announced that one gas-based 250 MW unit of the plant will begin operation in March 2010,followed by two more 250 MW units which would start operation in May 2010 and July 2010.

“A 250 MW steam unit of the same plant is expected to start operations in July 2010 as well and the remaining 500 MW will also be ready by the time the Commonwealth Games commence in October 2010,” the official said. The government has also finalised land for a 750 MW power plant at Bamnauli. But the project is unlikely to start generation before 2012.

Discom NDPL is constructing a 108 MW power project in Rohini and according to the Chief Minister’s May review,this plant will start operation in March 2010. Discom BSES too has plans to set up a 4,000 MW plant in Tikri Kalan,but that could take up to two years to build. In a meeting held in June,the Delhi Development Authority finalised the land transfer for this project. Work is expected to begin within the next four months.

Delhi,meanwhile,also has a share in projects being set up by other states. “The first unit of Dadri-II is expected to start supplying 400 MW to Delhi from December 2009. By March 2010,the Capital will also start getting its share of 750 MW from the Aravali Power project in Haryana,” the official said.

Till these projects start supplying electricity,Delhi will have to continue depending on outside sources in order to meet its demand.